For those who are new to the Nissan Livina, it is a MPV available in two different lengths with options of 5 or 7 seats. The 5 seater is being replaced by a new model (branded Note in Europe and Versa Note in the U.S.) that uses the Nissan Micra platform.
Nissan however may not have a global plan in place for the Micra platform model and the new generation 7 seat Livina yet, so the following is what's going to keep the current Livina running strongly until the replacement is ready.
The MPV was introduced in 2006, in China and consequently entered markets like Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and some South American markets. An SUVish version of the 5 seater called as the Livina X-Gear is also available in select markets - think of it as what the Scout variant is to the Fabia.
The car is getting ready for a facelift and here are the spyshots of the Livina X-Gear from Malaysia, captured by Paultan.org. The car sports a series of exterior styling changes, the most prominent of which is the rear fascia.
[Images of the pre-facelift Nissan Livina X-Gear - Note the changes to the bumper and taillights]
The Livina gets whole new taillamp clusters which, unlike the earlier units, pierce into the tailgate. The X-Gear version is distinguished from its regular sibling by SUV add-ons like the black plastic cladding to the car's body along with silver scruff plates at front and rear.
The seven seat version called the Grand Livina (and Genesis in China) is also expected undergo the facelift process. The car is quite popular in China and that makes us think that the facelifted series could be unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show in April.
The Livina employs a 109 PS 1.5 litre engine, a 111 PS 1.5 litre petrol engine or a 126 PS 1.8 litre petrol engine depending on the market. The engines are expected to be carried over into the facelift with minor tweaks.
Don't you think that the Grand Livina with a diesel engine would have more appeal to families in India than the Nissan Evalia?
[Source: Paultan.org]
